Celtic update on target, Rangers given encouragement, Hibs move addressed - Scottish transfer news

These are the latest reports from Rangers, Celtic, Livingston, and Hibs.

Livingston sign international defender

Livingston have completed their fifth signing of the January transfer window after sealing a deal for Guinea-Bissau international Babacar Fati. The 25-year-old defender joins the club on a permanent deal from SJK Seinäjoki, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract at Almondvale.

The left-back began his career with Portuguese giants Sporting CP, where he rose through the youth ranks at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, featuring for the club’s B team before making a permanent move to the Finnish outfit in 2023, where he has featured regularly, scoring 6 times, and assisting a further 16.

“The club are heading in a new direction,” said head coach David Martindale. “We want to and need to look at selling our players opposed to losing them for nothing when their contracts expire. There have been too many players over the years moving on without the club gaining any value from it. The January window has so far brought three players on permanent transfers and one on loan, and this is all down to the hard work of the recruitment team and the support of the chairman and the board.”

Hibs move addressed

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has refused to be drawn on Hibs’ reported interest in striker Bailey Cadamarteri, after it was claimed the Easter Road side were mulling over a bid for the 20-year-old last week. It is believed that head coach David Gray has looked into the possibility of signing the Jamaican international forward. However, the Hillsborough head coach has advised fans that he will only give an update when an official offer lands on his desk.

“I've just been given the information when there has been a concrete offer,” said Pederson. “Then they asked me what I think about it. This is the only thing about all the rumours. There has been one offer. They have just asked me one time and I gave my opinion.”

There is also rumoured interest from Scottish sides in experienced captain Barry Bannan, and Pederson admitted he had discussed a potential exit with his long-serving captain. “I don't hope we do it,” admitted the Owls boss. “I really hope he will stay here. He's very important for all of us, for all the fans, for everyone. So I cannot say how likely and how likely it's not. I can say I hope that he will stay for sure. I speak every day with Barry. Of course I have. Of course it's interesting for Barry like it's interesting for other players we have. I can just say I hope that he will stay. He has just told me that there is interest.”

Ross County expecting movement

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor and chief executive Steven Ferguson have told fans they can expect a flurry of activity in the final two weeks of the transfer window, as they look to add reinforcements to Stuart Kettlewell’s struggling squad. The Scottish Championship side has endured the season from hell following their relegation from the top flight last season, and currently prop up the table with just 16 points.

However, following the return of head coach Kettlewell in recent weeks, the Staggies have enjoyed an upturn in performances, including a 2-0 win against promotion-chasing Partick Thistle. However, with the fear of a second successive relegation on the cards, the club has informed supporters that they plan to back their manager in the final days of the January transfer window - although they have been warned that they need to offload players first.

“We understand everyone's frustrations,” said Ferguson. “The players are frustrated with themselves, they accept that it hasn't been good enough, and fans wear their hearts on their sleeve – if you take that away, we're all goosed. Stuart and his staff are very clear on where they are with the squad, so the chairman has said that if the right player comes up, Stuart will have the ability to strengthen his squad. If Stuart comes to us with more names, we will see if we can do a deal and the chairman will see if he can sanction it. We can't be stockpiling players though, so before that happens players will need to leave the club.”

Celtic update on target

Celtic may be handed a potential boost in their quest to add Eintracht Frankfurt defender Aurele Amenda to their ranks this month, after the player’s manager was sacked following their 3-3 weekend draw with Werder Bremen. Head coach Dino Toppmoller was dismissed from his role after failing to win any of his last four Bundesliga games, and reports claim his departure could open the door to a potential deal for the Swiss centre-back.

The 22-year-old is out of favour at Deutsche Bank Park, and is said to have been targeted by several clubs during the January transfer, with the Switzerland international desperate to play more regularly ahead of the World Cup this summer. The club’s sporting director, Marus Krosche, is said to have blocked all approaches for the towering 6ft 6in defender, though that could change after the dismissal of Toppmoller, who brought him to the club from Young Boys in 2024.

The Sporting director discussed potential transfer activity in the final two weeks of the January window, both incoming and outgoing, saying: “I won't say absolutely now, on January 19th, or rule out the possibility that certain things might happen. We'll see."

Meanwhile, Celtic have confirmed young midfielder Ben Summers has joined Ayr United on a loan deal until the end of the season, where he’ll join fellow Hoops loan stars Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure.

Rangers given encouragement

Rangers have been handed a boost in their quest to add talented young winger Damir Redzic after his manager admitted the club may be forced to sell the player this month. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Ibrox last week, with several reports claiming he had caught the attention of the Glasgow giants with a series of impressive displays for Slovakian side Dunajska Strada. The Hungarian has scored seven goals in 14 appearances for his club this season.

“He is an excellent player and he also has interesting numbers,” said Dunaksta Streda boss Branislav Fodrek. “So he is definitely an interesting player for better clubs, and that is what I said, as I also tell the boys, Dunajska Streda cannot always be the last goal for you and the Slovak league, you have to have goals and move even higher. But again, we have to evaluate it correctly so that it is successful.

“Damir has a contract with us. So, I would not like to get into these things. That is more of a question for the management, but of course those are the things I mentioned and when such an offer comes, that is one thing. They have to decide. I do not decide on that and even if we talk about it, but of course that is the competence of the owner of the club management and when it is profitable, when they consider that it is ok, it is, it is profitable for them, for the club and for the player, so how they will proceed is up to them."

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